Author's Note: It's a work-in-progress, so be patient. Please R&R! But again, don't make me cry. Also, any suggestions for a title? This story is © ME! But the characters are © DC comics. So don't anyone sue me. I'll tell you guys more next chapter. Ciao!
rEDmOONfEVER: Yes, it's the new (in the middle) costume. In case anyone else wants to know.
Sicily: Yes I have seen the Halle Berry Catwoman. You don't want to get me started on how disappointed I was.... Also, the Justice League do know who Catwoman is, but not her secret ID, and have only had minimal interaction. They have also heard the rumors of a Cat/Bat romance....
: Chapter One :
: Watchtower, Justice League Headquarters, Earth's Moon - 12:20 PM :
The Flash raised his eyebrows and sucked back a mouthful of his orange and cherry slushy as he watched Superman and Green Lantern sit down to interview another possible newbie. Wally paused and thought for a moment. He wasn't actually that new. The Flash had been friends with Booster Gold for a few years now, but he was new to the Justice League. Lately, the Justice League could afford to increase it's members, and for the past week and a half the original seven had been conducting interviews with a bunch of wanna-be heroes. Most did have potential, Flash knew it, but some, well let's just say some shouldn't have been wearing those costumes....
Diana strode over and stood beside Wally, crossing her arms.
"So? Whaddya think, Di?" He asked and Wonder Woman grinned.
"Well, when Kal first spoke of this to me, I was skeptical, but now..." she continued while observing the interview taking place behind the glass, "Now I think its turning out to be really worthwhile." She turned towards Flash.
"Yup, I'm with you there. It's been what, less than two weeks, and out of twelve applicants we've already accepted four!" Diana nodded in agreement, but Wally had spotted Black Canary's new blond understudy. His eyes widened and he took a big, final gulp of his slushy. "The way this is going the League could totally end up with like, even more babes!" he exclaimed happily, forgetting for a millisecond just who he was talking to. "Uh... sorry, Di," he quickly apologized, remembering how is team mate didn't appreciate sexism very much.
Diana just rolled her eyes and said, "Wally, a woman does not have to be a 'babe' to be smart and powerful," she looked at Flash carefully.
"Yeah, I know.... But it sure doesn't hurt!" He gave her a wide toothy grin. Then, suddenly recalling that he'd promised to meet Linda for coffee, he zoomed off, without saying good bye to Diana. Quickly he reappeared with a swoosh and gave her a quick wave. "Gotta go, later!"
Diana opened her mouth to reply, but the Scarlet Speedster was gone before she could utter a single syllable. Wonder Woman shook her head, smiling.
"Diana!" Black Canary's voice rang out, "They need you to take an interview in a few minutes, if you can." Dinah jogged up to the Amazon, a small palm pilot in her hands.
"Of course," she nodded, "Can you tell me which room?"
Dinah glanced down at the little electronic screen. "Says here, room... eleven," she answered, "with... a Miss Bertinelli."
Diana recognized the name. "Isn't she the Huntress, one of Batman's affiliates?"
Dinah nodded. "Yes, I believe so. Have fun," she smiled and Wonder Woman set off toward Room 11.
Walking past, she noticed John and Kal exit the room where they had been interviewing the young Booster Gold. Serious expressions painted both of their faces. Wonder how that went, she thought to herself. Finally, she entered Room 11 and was greeted by the sight of a young, raven-haired woman of, she was guessing, Italian descent wearing a dark purple costume. She smiled up at Diana nervously, and though it had never occurred to Diana before, she realized that it was probably quite intimidating to be in the same room with the Amazon Princess herself.
Breaking the ice, Diana smiled and stuck out a hand. "Hi! I'm Wonder Woman, but you can call me Diana."
: Gotham's East End, Alley Behind Selina Kyle's Apartment - 1:12 AM :
The Batmobile slowed, pulling into the alley behind Selina's apartment in the East End. Batman killed the engine and shifted to face the woman seated on the passenger side. Even with only one dim street lamp to illuminate her face, she looked remarkably beautiful the way she was, her green eyes shining thought her amber-tinted goggles. She noticed him staring and he flushed and quickly looked away. Inwardly, she grinned at the sight of an embarrassed Bat. Not something you see often, she mused. His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Selina," he started. She blinked. He continued. "I want to thank you... for all of your help tonight." He paused, searching for words. "...I really... appreciate it," he finished lamely.
A little disappointed, Selina thought for a moment. "...You're welcome, Bruce." She unbuckled the safety belt and reached for the car door. "And thanks for the ride home." Opening the passenger door, she turned to take one final glance at the tormented man in the driver's seat. She opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind when she saw him move. Perhaps he was going to speak? Instead he, quite abruptly, leaned across the space that separated them and caught Selina off guard with a deep kiss. Knowing from past experience that Batman was usually never one to make the first move, she was somewhat surprised, but she gladly responded to his lips. After a moment, Bruce pulled back for air and gently held her face close to his.
"I mean it," he said, his eyes fixed intently on hers, "Thank you."
Selina smiled wanly. "Well, you know, the Cat and Bat do make a pretty good team," she teased. This made Bruce smile, which was a very rare and coveted occurrence. It seemed that only she, apart from his two sons, could prompt out of his cold, stone-like exterior a genuine smile. Yes, Selina was the only woman who had that... power, as it were.
After kicking butt and taking names all night, both of them were spent. Selina flashed him a quick grin and then planted a short, sweet kiss on Bruce's lips.
She winked. "See you around, Bats." And with that, she was gone.
"Engine," he commanded and the car started. The automated computer came alive.
'Destination?' It asked. For a moment, Bruce didn't answer. He was thinking. Finally his eyes lit up.
"The Cave," he ordered, and the vehicle automatically set off towards its destination.
"O?" Silence, and then a crackle of static.
"Yes?"
"Did you hear?"
There was silence again. "Unfortunately... " she replied with an edge of disgust.
Bruce frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Oh nothing... Just remember to switch off your com link the next time you decide to make out with Catwoman."
More silence. Bruce ignored her comment. "I was asking if you'd heard how your interview went."
"Oh...," Oracle laughed, "No, I'm still waiting for my phone to ring."
"And Huntress?" Bruce inquired, "Her interiew was today."
"She thought it went well, but she won't know for a few days whether she was accepted or not." The Batmobile was nearing Wayne Manor. "By the way, nice job with tonight's drug bust."
"Yes, thanks to Catwoman for providing the information she did, it was a success."
"She really came through, huh?"
Bruce was quiet for a minute. "She always does, O."
There was a pause. "Yes, I suppose she does." Even though Batman couldn't see it, he could tell that she was smiling.
"Get some sleep, O."
"Yes, sir," she joked,"Oracle out." The line crackled again and went dead.
The Batmobile pulled into the usual spot in the center ring of the Cave and Bruce jumped out. He peeled back his cowl. Alfred was waiting there, clutching a tray which held a glass of purified mineral water and a plate of some sort of cookies with which Bruce connected their appearance to that of fecal matter. He had to ask.
"... Oatmeal cookies?" He eyed Alfred suspiciously. Lately his faithful butler had been insisting that he begin a healthy, organic diet, and one could never guess what would be next.
"My own concoction, Master Bruce. Oats, pineapple, macadamia nuts, ginger, raisins, and a hint of molasses." Bruce winced, but Alfred's eager smile made him take a 'cookie' simply out of kindness. His stomach pitched, but he forced himself to take a bite.
"Mmm...." Grimacing, he washed it down with some water. "That was... good, Alfred."
Alfred let out the breath he had been holding. "Thank heavens, sir, considering you were my, shall we say, guinea pig?"
Bruce coughed and quickly tossed what was left of his cookie onto the tray. "Alfred?!"
The butler cleared his throat. "Very well, Master Bruce. I will discard these wretched things and make a new batch tomorrow."
"Can't we just have plain old chocolate chip?"
Alfred frowned. "No."
Bruce was pleading with him now. "Please?"
Alfred narrowed his eyes, but he gave in. "Oatmeal and chocolate chip, then."
Bruce grinned. "Thanks."
Alfred turned on his heel and started up the stairs. Then he paused and turned towards the young man, now sitting before a giant computer. "Will you be off to bed soon, sir?"
"Yes, Alfred," his eyes on the screen, "I just need to enter tonight's report."
"Very good, Master Bruce." Alfred continued up the steps. Bruce watched him go.
"'Night, Alfred."
: Wayne Manor, Outskirts of Gotham City - 9:48 AM :
Dick Grayson stood, in his blue pajama pants and a plain white shirt, at the top of the Manor's over sized staircase, eyeing the sleek, glossy mahogany banister. One had to line one's self up perfectly if one wanted to gain as much speed as possible on the way down. He was ready. Three... two.... Suddenly he heard Bruce's bedroom doorknob turn. Bruce probably would not be amused if he caught twenty-something Dick straddling the rail like a silly orangutan on a tree branch. Dick cringed at the thought of a long, boring lecture from his adoptive father. Now the door was halfway open.
"Now or never!" Dick cried, a little too loudly, and pushed off of the banister, sliding down.
Alfred was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when Dick strode in.
"Morning, Al." He slipped past Alfred towards the table and at the same time swiped an orange from the fruit bowl.
"Good morning, Master Dick. I trust you slept well?"
"Like a baby," he grinned, "You?"
"Quite well, thank you."
He grabbed the morning paper and set it before him and began peeling his orange. It wasn't long before Alfred, in horror, took notice and shuffled over to place a saucer beneath his dripping orange.
"Please, Master Richard," Alfred sighed, exasperated, using Dick's full name.
"Oh!" Dick finally realized what his blunder was. "Forgot. Sorry, Al," he apologized, "Don't worry, I'll clean that up."
Alfred frowned. "I suppose there are no table manners required at the Tower?"
Dick reddened and looked down. "Actually, I...."
Alfred smiled warmly and patted the young man's shoulder. "It's quite alright, Master Dick."
Dick scooped up his orange peels and piled them onto the plate and then turned his attention back to the newspaper. "Had a chance to read the morning's paper yet, Al?" he asked.
Alfred was busying himself with whisking some sort of thick, yellow sauce. "I regret that I have not."
Dick mumbled a reply and continued reading the front page. "It's very... interesting! Guess who snagged the front page!"
Alfred continued cooking. "I'm sure I couldn't say, young sir."
"Listen to this!" Dick began, "The headline reads: Batman and Catwoman Gotham's Latest Crime-fighting Couple?" Dick grinned to himself and continued. "The city's largest drug bust a success last night thanks to Batman and Catwoman! Is this the beginning of a new partnership? Looks like Catwoman's really turned over a new leaf, so are the two love birds going to finally make a go of it? What effect will this have on the underworld of Gotham City?" Dick paused.
"Master Dick... I...." He was interrupted.
"Wait. There's more!" He finished reading. "Could it be that Gotham's Dark Knight has finally found love?" Dick started to laugh, but froze and sucked it back inside when he discovered Bruce was standing in the doorway, his arms folded across his massive chest. Alfred raised an eyebrow, but silently continued preparing breakfast. The kitchen was quiet, except for the noise of Alfred finishing up and Dick eating his freshly peeled orange.
Finally, Bruce cleared his throat and spoke. "You're still here?"
Dick's head shot up from pretending to read the Funnies, a confused look on his face. "Sorry?"
Bruce sat down across from his son. "I thought Nightwing was supposed to leave for Blüdhaven yesterday, on Titan business."
Realization dawned on Dick's face. "Oh! Right. I'm not needed there now, so I figured I'd just hang here for a little while. That is, if it's okay with Alfred." Alfred coughed in the background. Bruce just stared and Dick shot him a mischievous grin.
Alfred served the two their breakfast, who both smiled in appreciation for the beloved butler. Bruce unfolded his napkin and shrugged. "Well, as long as Alfred says it's okay...."
Dick grinned. "Then it's settled."
"That this morning's paper?" Bruce motioned towards the paper next to Dick, which he had hurriedly refolded.
"Uh...." Dick stammered in a panic. "...Yes?" He glanced up at Alfred for help, but only received a blank stare in return. Bruce was reaching for the paper. "Y-you know, I don't think there's anything that interesting in there this morning, Bruce...." It was too late. Dick held his breath and Alfred's dish washing ceased as they watched Bruce read the article on the front page. Then Bruce surprised everyone when he suddenly burst out laughing and nearly choked on his turkey bacon. Alfred and Dick both exchanged worried looks.
"You... you're not upset?" Dick asked cautiously.
Bruce stopped coughing and took a swig of his orange juice. "No," he replied. "Why should I be?"
Dick made a face. "I just know... how much you hate the media," he attempted lamely, "... and how they twist things...?"
Bruce casually took a bite of his whole grain toast. "Not particularly. Catwoman helped me with the case, and she assisted me in taking these guys down," he continued, without making eye contact with either Dick or Alfred, who was simply observing at this point. "That's all."
Dick stroked his chin, thoughtfully, and then leaned forward. "So," he ventured, "... does that mean the rest of the article's true?"
Without answering, Bruce swallowed the last of his orange juice and stood up, thanking Alfred for the food. Then he made the excuse of running late for a very important Wayne Enterprises meeting, and quickly got out of the kitchen.
: End of Chapter One :
